At the end of this week, we will be heading to DC for what promises to be an exciting and inspiring Mid-Year Assembly. Turnout this year is exceptional: For the first time since the pandemic, we will have attendees from all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico joining us to advocate for the future of our profession. We can’t wait, and we hope to meet many of you there.
Bylaws Hearing Tonight at 7 p.m. CT
Register here to join the hearing and learn about the proposed bylaw amendments and resolutions. If you can’t participate tonight, the hearing will be recorded and posted.
In Memory of a CRNA Leader
Finally, it is with great sadness that we note the passing of former AANA President Sandra Kilde. Sandra was an exemplary leader for our profession for more than 50 years. In addition to serving as AANA president from 1981-1982, she was a driving force in nurse anesthesiology education. We offer her loved ones and many friends and colleagues our sincere condolences.
As always, thank you for all that you do, and for supporting your profession and colleagues through your AANA membership.
If you have general questions for the Board of Directors, please reach out to them at: Board-of-Directors@aana.com
To avoid multiple responses, the AANA Vice President will triage these inquiries and reply on behalf of the Board.
IN THIS ISSUE
Help Protect Nursing Workforce Program Funding
Kansas Grants CRNAs Prescriptive Authority
New Mexico Enacts Law Concerning CRNA Independent Role
Nebraska Adds CRNAs to the State’s Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act
CRNAdvocacy Alert: Push Back on ASA Lies About CRNA Care
Stay Informed and Get Involved through the CRNAdvocacy Action Center
In Memoriam: Sandra J. Kilde, EdD, CRNA (1938-2025)
Deadline to Apply to Serve on an AANA Committee is Next Week!
ADVOCACY UPDATES
Help Protect Nursing Workforce Program Funding
Last week, the Washington Post leaked an internal budget document from the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) proposing major funding cuts across the agency. The proposed cuts total $40 billion across the agency, representing almost one-third of the entire HHS discretionary budget. While the document is not a final budget, these cuts are consistent with previous Trump Administration budgets and ongoing efforts to reduce spending.
Of particular concern to AANA, the leaked budget proposal calls for eliminating almost all Title VIII Nursing Workforce Programs, including the Advanced Education Nursing program that funds the Nurse Anesthetists Traineeship (NAT), as well as the Nurse Faculty Loan program and the Nurse Education, Practice, and Retention Program. It would leave the NURSE Corps program with $92 million. In total, it would cut over $212 million for Title VIII programs.
The AANA strongly opposes cuts to Title VIII funding. We need CRNAs to take action now to help us protect these critical programs
If you have a personal story of how Title VIII programs benefited you, your colleagues, or a resident/student, be sure to share those with your legislator.
Instructions for Contacting Your Representative
Click here and follow the prompts to be connected with your U.S. Representative.
You will be directed to a draft email to your legislator. If your Representative sits on the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the letter will ask them to support funding for the Title VIII program. If your Representative does not sit on this Subcommittee, it will ask them to sign a letter to the Subcommittee requesting funding for Title VIII funding.
Be sure to personalize this email. Personalized emails are proven to be the most effective.
Click “send letter.”
Kansas Grants CRNAs Prescriptive Authority
On April 1, 2025, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 67, which grants CRNAs prescriptive authority. Introduced at the request of the Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the law states that CRNAs “may prescribe durable medical equipment and prescribe, procure and administer any drug consistent with the registered nurse anesthetist's education and qualifications” in accordance with state nursing and controlled substance laws. This law was highlighted in Governor Kelly’s April 4 press release.
New Mexico Enacts Law Concerning CRNA Independent Role
New Mexico Senate Bill 78, concerning CRNA practice, was signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 10, 2025. Introduced at the request of the New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, the law specifies that CRNAs “shall function in either an independent role or in collaboration with other health care providers in accordance with the policies of a health care facility.” The law defines "independent role" as “performing any action, including determining, preparing, administering or monitoring anesthesia care or anesthesia-related services, without the supervision of another health care provider.”
Nebraska Adds CRNAs to the State’s Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act
Nebraska Legislative Bill 312 was signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen on April 7, 2025. Supported by the Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the law amends the state’s Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include loans to students in Nebraska nurse anesthesia programs and loan repayments for CRNAs. Loan repayment recipients are required to practice in a designated health profession shortage area in the state for at least three years.
CRNAdvocacy Alert: Push Back on ASA Lies About CRNA Care
American Society of Anesthesiologists has issued a misleading and inaccurate press release attacking a bill by Reps. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) that would help to ensure veterans timely access to anesthesia care and strengthen both the safety of that care and financial accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act (H.R. 2234) would align Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policy with the current Defense Health Agency policy, allowing both CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists to be autonomous providers of anesthesia in VA facilities.
Stay Informed and Get Involved through the CRNAdvocacy Action Center
AANA’s new CRNAdvocacy Grassroots Action Center, your go-to hub to act on key federal healthcare issues. Stay informed, connect with lawmakers, and make your voice heard with easy-to-use tools for grassroots engagement. Visit the CRNAdvocacy Action Center.
SIGNIFICANT NEWS
In Memoriam: Sandra J. Kilde, EdD, CRNA (1938-2025)
Sandra J. Kilde, EdD, CRNA, age 86, of Eleva, Wisconsin, formerly of Minnesota, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at home, surrounded by her loving family while under the care of Mayo Home Health and Hospice, according to an obituary provided by Talbot Family Funeral Homes. A former president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), she was a recipient of AANA’s highest award, the Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment, in 2021.
She served as AANA president from 1981-1982 and was a positive force for the nurse anesthesiology profession for more than five decades. She was instrumental in the field of nurse anesthesia education. With less than one year of CRNA experience, in 1968 she became program director at the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, a role she held for more than 28 years. During this time, she spearheaded moving the curriculum from an 18-month certificate program to a 27-month Master of Science degree. Read the complete obituary.
Deadline to Apply to Serve on an AANA Committee is Next Week!
Are you looking for a meaningful way to contribute to the future of our profession? Applications are open until April 30 to serve on an AANA Committee. Committees play a crucial role in advancing our mission, and we encourage you to apply to be part of this important work. Visit the AANA Committees webpage to learn more and apply.
The following is an FEC required legal notification for CRNA-PAC. Gifts to political action committees are not tax deductible. Contributions to CRNA-PAC are for political purposes. All contributions to CRNA-PAC are voluntary. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The guidelines are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the guidelines suggest and the association will not favor or disadvantage you by reason of the amount contributed or the decision not to contribute. Federal law requires CRNA-PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and the name of the employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Each contributor must be a US Citizen.
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology 10275 West Higgins Road, Suite 500 Rosemont, IL 60018
.png?upscale=true&width=600&upscale=true&name=AANA-logo-horizontal-white%20(1).png){kind=logo}
